The Structure of Wings

We often think of wings as light, ethereal things.

 I found these butterfly wings a few years ago outside, and held onto them because they were so beautiful. Since moving, a lot of physical memories have resurfaced, including this little wing skeleton. Notice the structure. When things float, or are suspended in air, they appear to embody a carefree quality, but we forget there's a lot going on structurally which allows for such suspension. A system of support, a jungle gym of beams and arches that all work toward the goal of flight for its subject. Pausing to notice the intricacies of this seemingly fragile tool, I began to reflect upon what makes humans soar.  We all need tons of support to do so. Tons. And then, there are the rare few who find the inner tenacity to push through and fly regardless of their surrounding circumstances. Sometimes I wish we had no choice but to fly, like this butterfly whose wings I've kept. But, without the choice, we wouldn't be human. Without our humanity, we wouldn't be able to question. Without the questions, we wouldn't long for the answers, run for the answers, run so fast there is no choice left but to open our wings, and fly.